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OK - it's been 3 years since I had a baby birdie and in comparison for baby-ness - well there isn't one. Luna was about 10 weeks ( I was told) and totally weened. She "regressed" after she was with us for 2-3 weeks, but only when I held her she begged for food (didn't realize at the time) tried to feed her formula but wouldn't take it. That lasted 4 very long weeks then stopped and that was it.

New baby - Stella is about 11-12 weeks or older. She sounds like a cricket in the distance (very cute and soft), has managed a big bird chirp a handful of times. I got a lesson on how to hand feed her at the store last night and.....SUCCESS!!!! She ate like a champ - 15cc. He poop is quite clear and squirts out! There is a formed fecal portion and very small amount of urates. She sleeps a lot!!! is this fairly normal?? If I didn't know better I'd say she was narcoleptic! I only have Luna to compare her with and I don't remember her sleeping that much, but then it has been 3 years.

Any advise is more then welcome - We are looking forward to having a beautiful relationship with this little star of ours for years to come.

And Merry Christmas and Happy Hanuka!!

Jo

Jo
Yes that is normal for weird poops like that but she is producing which is good more urine is normal as there is more water in the formula .. As for the sleeping this too is normal and will pass as she becomes more comfortable with her surroundings .. The cherps will also lessen as time goes on occasionaly Taz (BFA) and Noodle (tiel) will beg
She will seem to just stop begging when she feels she is a "big girl" Even with noodle we offered him pellets sprinkled on the floor . He took the spoon for around a week (he only took feedings 2xs a day) then he wanted in his big boy dish ... then he just stopped ..I could tell he stopped as there were no "beak tracks" in his formula .. He took formula for about 3-4 weeks total I think and then just stopped . I found that weights were very important in tracking more so than the poos (dont get me wrong I looked at the poos but not inspected them as I knew his kidneys and bowels were working )I would track his weights 6 times a day an then backed to 4 , 2 , 1 ect ... He refledged at 132 or so grams now he is steady at 110 or so . His lowest is 103 I think ( I dont have his log book with me ..)
You are doing every thing right and it shows!

sadielynn wrote:... I found that weights were very important in tracking ... I would track his weights 6 times a day an then backed to 4 , 2 , 1 ect ...

Wow From whom did you learn this? What's the theory behind it -- the need for such frequent weighing?

Birds' survival in the wild is dependent on their ability to fly out of harm's way ASAP. So, they evolved the very rapid development of a full-size skeleton and full feather growth. To our untrained eyes, they look fully mature, especially in comparison to the MUCH slower human development we tend to use as our frame of reference. But they're still quite immature, just babies who can fly They still have many less obvious baby characteristics. The need for sleep is one. Time for "growing" on the inside.

I'm so happy for the three of you.

Bluesbird Exotics wrote:

sadielynn wrote:... I found that weights were very important in tracking ... I would track his weights 6 times a day an then backed to 4 , 2 , 1 ect ...

Wow From whom did you learn this? What's the theory behind it -- the need for such frequent weighing?
.

Me being a neurotic momma , you will see weight changes easier than illness or food strikes , also when hand feeding I always believe it is a good thing to have a scale to see what you are at .. When we got him I think he weighed in at 83g (?) then after 2 days to 69-70g (?) the scale was my friend ... and it allowed me to "see " more on a scared bappie

I wouldn't weigh a chick that frequently. Fluctuations throughout the day are normal and could be misleading. And if the bird isn't all that keen on being weighed it could actually be detrimental. I often pull little ones from the nest around 10 days to 2 weeks and would weigh them daily til I am satisifed that they have adjusted to handrearing and are stable (usually a week to 10 days) and then every other day til they fledge. Once fledged I would only weigh a bird with any regularity (more often than every 3 months) if I suspect a health problem. Otherwise I am comfortable with just giving the keel a quick feel.

Patti In Oz wrote:I wouldn't weigh a chick that frequently. Fluctuations throughout the day are normal and could be misleading. And if the bird isn't all that keen on being weighed it could actually be detrimental. I often pull little ones from the nest around 10 days to 2 weeks and would weigh them daily til I am satisifed that they have adjusted to handrearing and are stable (usually a week to 10 days) and then every other day til they fledge. Once fledged I would only weigh a bird with any regularity (more often than every 3 months) if I suspect a health problem. Otherwise I am comfortable with just giving the keel a quick feel.

All my guys quickly adapted to weighing time they freely step up . However if they dont want to I move the scale and try one more time , if I already have a weight for the day then I just let it go . If not I try back later .. Most of our guys you can say "weigh yourself for momma," and they jump up on their perch ....

When Missy & Smokey had their clutches, I attempted to weigh the chicks every day about the same time. They got used to the weighings, and I as well as everyone who watched the daily weigh-In's on camstreams saw the daily gains in weight as the chicks went from initial weigh-in at 10 days till they fledged and beyond, and that is good. You can chart their weights just as a human in the hospital, and that will tell you if they are receiving both enough food and liquids. The time to catch any abnormalities is when at the most rapid growth term.

I still weigh the kids whenever I can get them corralled long enough to put them on the scales (which is getting harder and harder to do) but it's worth the hassle, especially if you think someone has a problem. Weight is one of the first things that change if the birdie gets sick or has some problems eating. So far (knock on wood) I've not had any problems with weight gain or loss that has lead to some type of illness that claimed the birds life. I fully insist that birdies be weighed at least once per week while in childhood stage.

Sam

I agree with you Sam. I was just questioning the benefit of weighing multipe times per day. And I wonder would there be any worthwhile info to be gleaned from weighing more than once per day?

Patti In Oz wrote:I agree with you Sam. I was just questioning the benefit of weighing multipe times per day. And I wonder would there be any worthwhile info to be gleaned from weighing more than once per day?

I can not say that it is needed but I did catch that noodle had lost about 5 grams in one day , my suspicion was that it was cause his fomula got "cold" I remixed it and his weight stayed up .. I think it is just personal prefrence

How is the baby doing?

Thanks for asking - it's been 9 days, I feed 2x a day with formula and she has access to other foods as well. She still sleeps a lot!!!!!!!! Christmas day - woke her up after 12 hours in bed (sleep cage) then she went to sleep in her day cage for another 5 hours and didn't eat first!! Her weight is in the high 70s to low 80s depending on the time of day. Since I had a death in the family, work crazy hours and hubby isn't able to do regular hand feedings and weighing, it's been difficult to keep up with regular anything. Hubby wanted to have a new birdie right away (me too ) so I guess I asked for this on one hand, but on the other I wasn't even in the 2 hand feedings a day plan by a long shot. I'm doing the best I can with what I've got.

That being said, she is cute as a button and is very sweet. Still sounds like a cricket! Even when she cries to be fed - especially when I'm getting it ready and she's watching, her cries aren't that loud grating on my nerves sound like Luna had and other baby tiels I've seen in the stores - maybe it's a good sign. Hubby is learning how to feed her so she hopefully bonds to him more then Luna did. She really loved me and used him while I was at work, as soon as I came home she left him in a heart beat. I know he wasn't happy about that, but what could I do? Hopefully, Stella will bond to both of us. She likes being with him - nap together - with him laying on the couch with his arm stretched out
to the side with her on his arm - just like Luna did. Her potty training is coming along better then stepping up - go figure. Once she's under my chin or on the shoulder she doesn't want to leave.

I almost forgot - her vent seemed to be swollen over the weekend but was OK tonight - is that normal for babies?
I would really like to see her play with some toys - but you can't play if your sleeping!!

I think that's it for now

Jo

Stella's first bath


Taking an after bath nap!

Glad that she seems to be doing well.

Call the vet and ask about the sleeping though, at her age she shouldn't need that much sleep. What you describe is not normal and unless the vet checked for yeast, asper and other bacterial infections that happen with handfed birds, she could be harboring something nasty.

FYI if that pink band is not closed ( solid all the way around ) I would remove it. Split bands and hookbill birds usually end in disaster.

Hmmm...I would be concerned about the swollen vent and the constain sleeping....please give the vet a call.
since you are still hand feeding the baby what temp is the formula? that is crucial because cold formula causes yeast/bacteria infection and a sour crop....

Yikes that is ALOT of sleeping!! I hope shes ok.

Food Temp is about 105.
She does eat other foods - mostly millet
I asked the vet about the sleeping - especially since she took a snooze in the exam room when his assistant held her! He believes it's weight related - she needs to gain weight. Since I am a novice at hand feeding, it is a somewhat messy endeavor. I am getting better with it and she doesn't seem to mind either of our lack of experience. Most of the time I usually get the food ready so hubby can do the actual feeding, he wants her to like him a lot

She also looks like she hiccups when she chirps! So much so that a few people who've been here to visit made the same comment.

Jo